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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Isis Rushdan

Guest Blog Post from Isis Rushdan and Review

Thank you for having me on, Cloey. I’m so happy to be here today to discuss the upcoming release of my debut novel, Kindred of the Fallen, and a little bit about my writing process. My favorite muse by far is music. It’s definitely one of my greatest sources for inspiration. Whether it’s instrumental or vocal, music is my medium of choice to instantly transport me to one of my imagined worlds. Finding the right song to listen to while I write specific scenes can be tough, but when I do, passages unfold in such a fluid way I can visualize everything. I use it to tap into the emotions I need the reader to feel and to breathe life into the words I put on the page. Then I go back through to clean up and revise. Although Kindred of the Fallen is a paranormal romance, there’s butt-kicking action and a high concept storyline that I hope will appeal to fans of urban fantasy. In order to nail the action sequences, music was crucial. Rob Dougan’s “Furious Angels” was one song I listened to on repeat over and over. Dougan’s voice, the poetic lyrics and haunting electronic beat fueled my creative mojo as I wrote two scenes. The first was a major event in which something tragic happens. It’s not the biggest fight scene, but it is a critical turning point in the story. The process can be intense as with the scene mentioned above. I was in the writer’s zone, completely immersed in the world, and bawled as I tossed my characters into a dark, heartbreaking place. When my editor told me the scene made her cry, I was thrilled I had been able to connect on such a level. “Furious Angels” filled my heart and ears as I also wrote the climax. There simply wasn’t a better musical choice and it gave me the adrenaline rush I needed. I hope readers are able to feel every emotion I wanted to convey, and enjoy the journey of Serenity and Cyrus.

Kindred of the Fallen EXCERPTCyrus stroked Serenity’s arm, his heart tight as a fist and throbbing. His pool of energy gushed and swelled inside of him. Exhilarating jolts, unlike anything he’d ever felt, set his skin aflame. His nerve endings tingled like bare wires. He’d watched her for the last ten days from a distance, waiting for the perfect opportunity to meet her. After his reckless disaster earlier in her office, he needed this to go the way he’d planned. For more than two hundred years, he had imagined this, when he’d finally meet his kabashem, the other half of his soul. If he ever found her, his mission was clear. Claim her at any cost and put an end to the curse. “My house outside the city offers a spectacular view. It’s the perfect place to appreciate the stars. And I promise you’ll enjoy a meal you’ll never forget.” Was he being too forward? His impulsive, less aggressive tactic at her studio had backfired. Sweat slicked his palms and his pulse raced. Ten days should have been long enough to prepare. What was wrong with him? He’d never been nervous going into battle, not even the first time he held a sword ready to kill. But having her within reach threw him off kilter worse than taking a fist to the head. “I can’t have dinner with you,” she said in a solemn voice that wavered. “We both have to eat. Why not do it together?” She raised her left hand with the ring facing him. “I’m engaged.” “Happily?” Her eyes grew wide for a moment. “You’re used to getting what you want, aren’t you?” Her gaze slipped from his face. “Women probably throw themselves at you all the time, tossing away their morals along with their panties, eager to get into your bed. I hate to disappoint you twice in one day, but I’m not that type of woman.” He sucked in a breath, smooth and slow. “You’re right, I am used to getting what I want, but you’re wrong about the women. Casual sex is for the undisciplined, and none of the pursuits in my life are casual.” He leaned closer. “I didn’t mean to offend you with my invitation. I admire your moral compass. Means you’ll never get lost.” She rolled her eyes and snickered. Time for uncensored honesty. “Forgive my forwardness, but I sensed a connection between us and thought you had as well.” She met his gaze. “The kind of connection one can’t deny or ignore,” he continued. “The kind that happens once in a lifetime. The kind for which rules are meant to be broken.”

Serenity’s soul-reading ability lets her easily create custom tattoos. Everything else in her life is a struggle, from trying to make it work with her best friend, Evan, to nightmares and visions that make her question her sanity.

Then she meets a man who sharpens her craving for something more.

Cyrus has been preparing to claim her as his Blessed mate—the other half of a split soul that, once reunited, is his only chance to break the curse that plagues his people.

One moment, armed militants are firing questions Serenity cannot answer. The next, she is safe in Cyrus’s arms…and learning she isn’t even human. She is Kindred, blessed with preternatural powers, cursed to suffer the twin horrors of the blood rage and the dark veil.

Their union is the greatest hope for redemption in a thousand years, but not all Kindred want to be saved. A dark secret could snuff out their lives before love has a chance to unite them…and redeem the Kindred for all time.

Greater the love…sweeter the pleasure…higher the price that must be paid.

About the Author:Isis Rushdan was born and raised in New York City. She has a B.A. in psychology from The Ohio State University. Wanderlust has taken her across the globe and has kept her moving every three years. Fortunately, she is blessed with a husband who shares her passion for travel, movies and fantastic food. Prior to following her bliss as a writer, she had a bright career as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force. She currently resides in sunny Florida, where she hopes to finally establish roots, with her husband, son and canine kiddies. http://isisrushdan.com/http://www.facebook.com/Isis.Rushdan.Authorhttp://isisrushdan.blogspot.com/http://twitter.com/isisrushdan